title: Flu-like symptoms following radiofrequency liver transection: a new variety of the post-radiofrequency syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to determine whether post-radiofrequency syndrome may also develop following hepatectomy using saline-cooled radiofrequency coagulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 95 consecutive patients who underwent 110 liver resections between May 2000 and September 2012. We stated that 80.9% of the resections were carried out employing the saline-cooled radiofrequency device. All medical records were searched for the occurrence of flu-like symptoms, without evidence of sepsis or infection, in the first two postoperative weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients (11.5%) developed flu-like symptoms after hepatectomy without evidence of sepsis or infection. All their hepatectomies were performed employing the saline-cooled radiofrequency probe (p = .089), and all cases but one appeared following colorectal liver metastases surgery (p = .042). Eight of them were readmitted to the hospital because of their symptoms. In all 11 cases, a fluid collection was present, 8 of them with gas presence. Nine patients underwent a percutaneous drainage whose cultures were negative. Ten patients recovered without treatment or with the intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within 1 week, but one patient developed a secondary infection with gram-positive bacteria after percutaneous drainages that prolonged his hospital stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liver splitting using saline-cooled radiofrequency coagulation may cause postoperative symptoms that may mimic surgical site infection. Surgeons employing this device should keep this in mind to avoid potentially unwarranted treatments that may be unnecessary, expensive, and even harmful.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Surgery, University of Seville , Sevilla , Spain .
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parra-Membrives
authors.forename: Darío
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martínez-Baena
authors.forename: Jose Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lorente-Herce
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome